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It Begins in Middle School
Westminster prepares students for a 7th –12th grade learning experience
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5 Coming Full Circle
Forever impacted by his own Westminster experience, David Werner ’88 is passionate about making it possible for families today.
6 Life of Compassion
Compassion International advocate Holly Sumner uses her fluency in Spanish to make a local and global impact
15 Middle School, Upper Impact Why the two short years between elementary and high school are transformative in the life of a Westminster student
18 More than a Building
Construction is complete, but our work is not finished, because the vision has always been about more than a building.
4 Core Values Partner with the Christian Home and Church
8 Westminster Today Celebrating Student and Faculty Excellence ON THE COVER: A middle school STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) class builds a cardboard chair – which, without adhesives, can hold the weight of an adult – and uses the iPad to produce a commercial to advertise it. Learn more about innovations in the Middle School on pages 15-17.
23 Vision to Inspire Lisa Bachman Jones ’02 uses her artistic gifts to contribute to Westminster’s vision in a nontraditional way.
24 Class Notes
Westminster Christian Academy honors Jesus Christ by providing an excellent education, rooted in biblical truth as interpreted by the Westminster Confession of Faith, for the children of Christian parents. Faculty and staff enable students to discover and embrace a biblical view of the world and integrate that view into every area of life. Head of School Jim Marsh • jmarsh@wcastl.org Head of Upper School Jim Sefrit • jsefrit@wcastl.org Head of Middle School Steve Hall • shall@wcastl.org Director of Advancement Zach Clark • zclark@wcastl.org Director of Admissions Peggy Johnson • pjohnson@wcastl.org Editor Emily Reed • ereed@wcastl.org Copy Editor Becky Van Valkenburg bvanvalkenburg@wcastl.org Designer Sarah Stanfield • sstanfield@wcastl.org Chimes is a biannual publication of Westminster Christian Academy, 800 Maryville Centre Drive, Town & Country, MO 63017, 314.997.2900, and mailed free of charge to alumni, families of current students, and friends of the school. To request a free subscription, email info@wcastl.org. ©2012 Westminster Christian Academy facebook.com/westminsterchristianacademy twitter.com/wcastl thewestminstervision.com www.wcastl.org
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see what God can do One of the great blessings of a 28-year career at Westminster Christian Academy is the opportunity to see God work in the lives of our students over time. Throughout our history, we have been dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders for God’s world – young men and women equipped to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ. I have watched hundreds of Westminster graduates embody our vision as they make a difference in their homes and communities, their churches, our nation, and the world. Westminster graduates serve as business leaders, missionaries, teachers, heads of school, presidents of Christian school boards, military officers, elders and deacons in their churches, scientists, and pastors. God has transformed our mission and vision into lives dedicated to loving and serving Him and His people. While the impact of a Westminster education and experience is transformational, it is only accomplished in and through the partnership of home, church, and school. A core value and foundational principle of Westminster Christian Academy is that a strong spiritual foundation is firmly established in the life of a young person when the Christian home, church, and school are working in partnership. Westminster exists to help Christian parents fulfill the biblical mandate given to them by God to “train their children in the way they should go,” and collaborate with the church in teaching and discipling children in God’s will and way. (Proverbs 22:6, Ecclesiastes 4:12). I have watched the strength of this partnership take hold in the lives of countless Westminster graduates. Sometimes the fruit of this partnership is evidenced early in the lives of our young people, and sometimes later in life. However, when home, church, and school faithfully plant the seeds of faith in the lives of our students, God enables the seeds to grow and bear fruit in His perfect timing and in His perfect way.
The baton that Mr. Marsh is holding represents the latest leg in our journey to reach our December 31 giving goal. It serves as a reminder that the Westminster community is a team, and that we must each do our part to ensure that Westminster continues to equip graduates to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ. “I’m grateful to have witnessed what God has done throughout Westminster’s history, and I look forward, with hope, to see what God can do in our future.”
I will forever treasure the opportunity that the Lord has afforded me to be a part of the home/church/school partnership that prepares young people to be difference makers for Him. Westminster graduates give me great hope for the future of our community, country, and world.
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Fifth in a Series About Our Core Values
Partner with the Christian Home and Church Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
A strong spiritual foundation is firmly established in the life of a young person when the Christian home, church, and school are working in partnership. Westminster exists to help Christian parents fulfill the biblical mandate given to them by God to “train their children in the way they should go,” and collaborate with the church in teaching and discipling children in God’s will and way. While the impact of a Westminster education and experience is transformational, with the Word of God infused into every aspect of the learning experience, it is only accomplished in and through the partnership of the home, the church, and the school. The strength of this partnership has dramatically impacted the lives of countless Westminster graduates. Whether the fruit of this partnership is evidenced early or later in a young
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person’s life, when families, the church community, and teachers devotedly sow the seeds of faith in our students, God works through those efforts to produce real change in their lives and shape them into the individuals He has called them to become. We must all come together around a bold and timeless vision – to grow and equip students to become Christian leaders who learn to love the Lord with all their hearts and walk with Him – and be prayerfully trusting God to enable us to do our best to make a lifelong impact on every student who walks through our doors. A complete list of Westminster Christian Academy’s core values is available at www.wcastl.org/about/mission.
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Coming Full Circle Forever impacted by his own Westminster experience, David Werner ’88 is passionate about making it possible for families today.
Although David graduated more than 20 years ago, he made friendships during his time at Westminster that are still intact today. “I remember Westminster as a supportive and protective environment,” he says. “It was a place that encouraged my development and prepared me for college while I had fun and built lasting friendships.” David is a 1992 graduate of Drake University where he received a B.A. in English. He used his English degree to start his career in the software industry as a technical writer. He has worked in the software industry for more than 15 years, including 10 years in the San Francisco Bay area working for Silicon Valley companies in various roles. In 2006, David moved to the Dallas area to begin work for CA Technologies, where he is employed in product marketing. Recently, David has become more connected to Westminster through some of his high school friends who now have children attending the school. He is especially
passionate about giving to financial aid for families, making Westminster accessible for future generations of students and families. “It’s rewarding to see what Westminster has become, knowing it’s a part of my history. It isn’t an option for my kids since we live in Texas, but I’ve decided to start giving to Westminster to contribute to the financial aid available for families who might otherwise not be able to afford
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it. Westminster offers even more to students today than when I attended, and I’d like to help make that environment possible for more kids in the hope that it might give them a step up on preparing for college and the rest of their lives.” David lives in McKinney, Texas with Toni, his wife of 19 years, and his three sons Henry (12), Theo (9), and Liam (18 months).
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Life of Compassion Compassion International advocate Holly Sumner uses her fluency in Spanish to make a local and global impact.
A young mother, 18, at the rehabilitation center Casa de Esperanza (House of Hope) sits with her son Andrew, 2 months, in a hammock protected with a mosquito net – a common substitute for a crib.
Former student Holly Sumner is living Westminster’s vision to engage and change the world for Jesus Christ through an endeavor recently undertaken on a trip to Nicaragua, where she traveled with a group from the Church of St. Michael & St. George in Clayton, Missouri. Having discovered her passion for the Spanish language early on at Westminster, Holly challenged herself to study the language intently throughout her time there. She left Westminster completely fluent and now, at 17, is using her excellent command of the language to make a difference and impact lives all over 6
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the world. Holly, an advocate for Compassion International, had the opportunity to visit the child she sponsors, Allan (one of nine children with whom she corresponds around the world), during her visit to Nicaragua. “I’m passionate about being able to share Compassion’s vision of what could be for the world’s poorest children – and seeing the difference that is made in their lives as a result,” says Holly. While in Nicaragua, she also became involved with translation and interpretation work for a documentary called “Hit Man to Hero,” a feature-length film being produced by a group
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At the Compassion Child Development Center, Holly spends time with her sponsored child Allan and his family. From left: Compassion program director, cousin Sarai (8), cousin Jossling (5), Allan (7), mom Eveling, and Holly (17).
of St. Louisans, also in attendance on the trip. The film tells the account of a Nicaraguan man now devoted to liberating women and child victims of prostitution and sexual slavery. On the trip, Holly visited the rehabilitation center established by the film’s main character and was at one time asked to translate between a nurse and an ill patient. The footage of the translation was filmed for possible use in a Univisión special about the making of the film. Now in St. Louis, Holly continues to assist with the film project by transcribing the film’s Spanish entries for its eventual translation into English. Holly says she was deeply impacted by the level of poverty in Nicaragua, specifically by
the hopeless mindset of so many women at the rehabilitation center. “They are single moms making hardly any money, unable to provide for their families, and feeling that there is no other way than resorting to prostitution,” says Holly. “Poverty in Nicaragua is so different from what I’ve ever understood in the United States. I have never seen people who are so lost; my heart breaks for them. Through my work on this project, I hope that I am able to help give them a voice.” Last year, Holly completed her high school coursework through the University of Missouri and graduated in May. She hopes to complete her education degree and move to Nicaragua to teach English and Spanish literacy to children in grades K-8.
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Celebrating Student & Faculty Excellence ACADEMICS
Nathan Arnold ’13, Christine Bosch ’13, Julia Davis ’13, and Laura Tarantino ’13 were Commended Students, recognized for their exceptional academic promise, in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. Daniel Pollmann ’13, Anne Rebbe ’13, and Megan Smith ’13 were named Semifinalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors and includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. Alyse Rogers ’13 was named an Outstanding Participant recognized for scoring in the top 3% of more than 160,000 black Americans who requested consideration in the 2013 National Achievement Program. Danny Dwyer ’14, a member of Boy Scout troop 613 in Florissant, Missouri, completed construction of a wire enclosure to protect two endangered species at The World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, Missouri, for his Eagle Scout project. He was awarded his Eagle medal earlier this year.
Megan Smith ’13 was chosen to receive the Yale Book Award for her exceptional ability, outstanding personal character, and intellectual promise. The award is presented to a student who might realistically consider Yale University for his or her undergraduate education.
Hunter Hughes ’13 was chosen to participate in the All-State Honor Choir. Hunter, Christina Goetz ’14, and Joe Isaacs ’13 also made AllDistrict Honor Choir.
Laura Tarantino ’13 was recognized with the Princeton University Book Award for her strong personal commitment to community service while maintaining excellence in her academics.
Josh Curry ’17 (2nd chair trumpet) and Christian McGhee ’17 (1st chair drums) are pleased to be members of the Middle School District Jazz Band.
James Zandstra ’13 received the “Distinguished Achievement for Excellence in Science Award” from the University of Missouri-St. Louis for the significant role he played this past year in Westminster’s Science and Engineering Club and robotics team. The award recognizes the most outstanding junior-level science students enrolled in the greater St. Louis metro area high schools.
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Danny Dwyer ’14 earned a spot in the All-District Jazz Band as second trumpet chair, the Jazz improviser’s chair, making him the primary trumpet soloist in the band.
Westminster Students in STARS Program A summer of hard work paid off for two Westminster students who spent six weeks conducting intensive research with St. Louis-area professionals and professors as part of the 2012 Students and Teachers as Research Scientists Program. Nathan Cherian ’13 and Daniel Pollmann ’13 paired with top research mentors from the University of Missouri–St. Louis, The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center, Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, and Solae, LLC. Experts from these five institutions took on student apprentices in laboratories and directed students in research projects. “High school students interested in a science career get a big head start with their participation in the STARS program,” says UMSL Chancellor Tom George. “For six weeks, students interact with experts in their fields, work in labs, and come away with an invaluable real-life, hands-on experience.” 8
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Luke Thuro ’17 earned a spot in the trombone section of the Middle School District Band.
LEADERSHIP
Shane Benes ’14 received the Young Achievers Award for his role as a student leader who is a positive role model, a successful achiever in a variety of areas, a good citizen in his community, and a competent scholar. Emma Bailey ’14 represented Westminster at the Missouri Leadership Seminar hosted by the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. At this seminar, Emma was exposed to panels of professional speakers on many of today’s most pressing issues and learned valuable leadership skills. Dominic Barresi ’13 was chosen to represent Westminster in the 2012 St. Louis County Outstanding Student Leader Program, which sponsors a leadership identification and training program for high school juniors. Every school in the county is encouraged to nominate one student leader who demonstrates proven leadership skills and involvement in the church and community, evidence of service to others, and maintenance of high personal standards. Katie Boesch ’13 was nominated for recognition as a Leader of Tomorrow. Leaders of Tomorrow encourages student leaders by recognizing and applauding positive achievement, behavior, leadership, and service. Nominees must be positive role models, good citizens in their school, and competent scholars. Jabri Boyd ’13 and Ryan Kelly ’13 were chosen to participate in the National Student Leadership Conference, which enables students to experience a day in the life of a future career. Jabri attended the Engineering Conference and Ryan attended the Conference on Intelligence and National Security. Throughout their experience, they explored their career interests and gained perspective as they met with leaders in their fields. They also focused on leadership skills ranging from team building and ethical decision making to time management, goal setting, and conflict resolution.
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Parker Briden ’13 finished Missouri Boys State – a summer leadership and citizenship program – in June and was chosen as one of two boys out of 978 to represent the State of Missouri at Boys Nation in Washington, D.C., during the last week of July. The weeklong event included a reception at the White House hosted by President Obama. Missouri Boys State draws together the best and brightest high school juniors; graduates of the program include Tom Brokaw, Bill Clinton, and Michael Jordan. Parker was chosen based on his outstanding achievement in the areas of history and government; his family says they are grateful for Westminster’s leadership development and focus on character building that equipped him to serve at Boys State and now Boys Nation.
2012 program in New London, Connecticut. AIM is a one-week summer program that gives selected students the chance to see if the U.S. Coast Guard Academy is right for them and the opportunity to determine whether they have what it takes to succeed. Tim experienced the rigor, discipline, and rewards of the Academy, just like a cadet, throughout the program.
Timothy Burgess ’13 was selected as one of the 500 most qualified rising seniors in the nation to take part in the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission (AIM)
Shelby Kehr ’13 and Alex Rideout ’13 were honored with the Danforth Foundation’s “I Dare You” Award as contributory school citizens with the
Westminster Middle School Student Wins Willie Akins Young Lions of Jazz Award
Akins Young Lion of Music Award for Top Musicianship. In addition, Christian was invited to attend The Percussive Arts Society International Convention – PASIC 2012 – in Austin and have dinner with legendary drummer Steve Gadd.
At Westminster, the vision to prepare more young people to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ begins in the Middle School with a deep commitment to pursue academic excellence at every level. One student who has been impacted by Westminster’s outstanding fine arts education is Christian McGhee ’17, who recently won the Outstanding Musicianship Award at the first annual Willie Akins Young Lions of Jazz Competition held at the Ambassador Club of St. Louis. Christian – member of Westminster’s band and jazz band – embraced the opportunity to play his drums onstage with St. Louis saxophone legend Willie Akins. Akins invited Christian to play with him at a number of venues after performing with him at St. Louis’ Jazz at the Bistro. Impressed by the 13-year-old’s talents, Akins requested that he play with the Willie Akins/ Montez Coleman Quartet at the Young Lions of Music Competition, in which young people brought their musical talents to compete for three awards: Overall Performance, Top Musicianship, and 2nd Place for Musicianship. Rather than playing with the band, Christian was asked to compete and won the Willie
Kari Ford ’13 was accepted to the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Conference that took place at the University of Missouri in July, in connection with the Show-Me Games. There, she participated in seminars based on building leadership skills and in a teams challenge course, and she had the opportunity to get to know other Missouri students.
“Christian is a very joyful person who has that rare ability to make a person feel his joy through his music,” says Westminster Band Director Hugh Jones. “That’s talent. I’m really happy that someday I’ll get to say, ‘I knew him when...!’” Christian aspires to follow in Jones’ footsteps and attend Berklee College of Music in preparation to travel the world as an ambassador for music. Christian is only one of more than 960 students at Westminster being prepared daily to make a difference in the world. Westminster has established hallmark programs in each of the disciplines so that students, from an early age, may pursue proficiency in specific areas of study. Within that structure, a fine arts conservatory, in which instructors are continuously available to aspiring musicians, has been established. Courses such as Piano Lab and Theatre Tech allow student musicians and actors to practice and refine their skills in preparation for college and provide excellent experience for students considering careers in the arts. W E S T M I N S T E R
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Director of Spiritual Life Tim Holley was the 2012 recipient of the Arlen R. Dykstra Teaching Prize. This honor is presented each year at graduation to the teacher who has demonstrated outstanding expression of the Christian world and life view, mastery of the subject matter, involvement in the lives of students through cocurricular activities, is sought out by students and colleagues for counsel, models a consistent Christian lifestyle, and is creative and innovative in the classroom. The award recipient is determined by a selection committee that includes student leaders, parents, and Board members. Mr. Holley has worked at Westminster for five years.
Upper school worldviews and Bible teacher L.B. Graham recently published two novels, Avalon Falls, a crime novel, and a futuristic story called The Raft, The River, and The Robot, which was inspired in part by Huck Finn. Writers in the Westminster community who are considering publishing their own books may learn more from Mr. Graham, who shares about the benefits of selfpublishing and his own experience in the industry, at thewestminstervision.com/ self-publishing.
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potential to influence and make a difference in their community.
Teacher’s Work Contributes to the Fight Against Cancer Adapted from an article by Eichel Davis ’14, published in student newspaper The Wildcat Roar
Barrie Cascella, upper school biology teacher, has been using her knowledge of science to impact both students at Westminster and those who are working to combat cancer through her research contributions at Washington University in St. Louis. Recently published in the journal of Biochemistry, Mrs. Cascella’s research involves
Annie Schlafly ’14 will represent Westminster at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation Program. This seminar is designed to identify and encourage high school leaders at an important time in their development. Annie will attend leadership training sessions with other students from all over Missouri. Amber Terschak ’13 participated in the Adventures in Medicine and Science (AIMS) Program this past summer. The AIMS Program, an outreach program of the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, offers summer workshops for high-achieving students who have an interest in becoming
medical professionals. These experiential programs feature observations of live surgery, extensive study of human anatomy, and exposure to multiple facets of careers in medicine. ATHLETICS The varsity baseball team celebrated a MSHSAA Class 3 state championship victory for the second straight year this past spring. Congratulations to Bryce Bell ’13, Shane Benes ’14, Brett Bond ’14, Camden Bridges ’12, Jacob Buffa ’12, Glen Calvin ’12, Tyler Catlett ’14, Collin Einertson ’14, Connor Einertson ’12, Brennan Hehner ’14, Caleb Hicks ’14, Connor Larson ’12, Ben Lovell ’13, Tate Matheny ’12, Mark McFarland ’13, Ben Mitchell ’13, Travis Ralls ’14,
Mrs. Cascella, center, with her research team at Washington University in St. Louis the study of enzymes that contribute to the spread of certain cancers. Her research recently revealed key findings that have helped scientists take one more small step toward finding a cure for the disease. And the success of her research has helped her in the classroom by providing a platform from which to encourage her students. While she is pursuing her passion as a biochemist, she is also working to show people just how fun and rewarding her field is. She says, “More than anything, I hope to convince at least one student to pursue a future in research science. It’s a wonderfully challenging and fulfilling academic path.”
Coach Honored Upper school special services teacher and volleyball coach Rebecca Kamp was one of 30 women to be considered for the NCAA’s Woman of the Year Award. The top 30 honorees reflect the pillars of the Woman of the Year award, with outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. Ms. Kamp was a four-time All-MIAA first team selection in volleyball and in fall 2011 became the first player in league history to be named Most Valuable Player in volleyball three times. Earlier this year, she was named the recipient of the MIAA’s Sheila Wallace Kovalchik Award as the conference’s most outstanding senior female student-athlete.
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Becoming Better: Westminster Athletics
Westminster is taking strategic steps to seize new, dynamic opportunities for students in the athletic program. The goal of Westminster’s physical education department is for students to know how to monitor and maintain their own health, fitness, and athletic development, and to apply the skills necessary for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. As such, a stronger focus is being placed on lifetime fitness and training the all-around athlete through its Strength and Conditioning program. Courses that encourage students to take fitness into their own hands are built into the curriculum, as are Strength and Conditioning courses that stress the importance of athletic performance training, with an emphasis placed on mastering strength-training techniques as well as nutrition. The goal is to serve the needs of student athletes and fitness enthusiasts in hopes that they will maintain and apply the skills they learn throughout their lives.
Westminster earns number-one small school athletic program honors for third time For its outstanding athletics success during the 2011-12 school year – with state championship
victories in girls golf and baseball, as well as a third-place Class 3 victory by boys golf and fourth-in-state victories by the softball and girls basketball teams – Westminster was named “small school athletic program of the year” by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. It is the third time in six years that Westminster has claimed the honor. “We have outstanding coaches and outstanding kids,” says Athletic Director Todd Zell, who emphasizes that what makes the honor even more impressive is the academic achievement of the athletes in the program as a whole. After tallying the grade point averages of each team on campus from the freshman level and up, he found that 40 of the 42 teams averaged GPAs higher than 3.0, and 10 of them were higher than 3.5. Mr. Zell says that while some schools are afraid to say they want to be successful in athletics because they think it takes away from academics, Westminster is dedicated not only to being on a high level academically but also athletically and in the fine arts; the qualities required to be a high-level student fall in line with those required to be a high-level athlete. Mr. Zell says, “Dedication, discipline, and sacrifice are all traits that can lead to success in the classroom and on the field.”
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Nick Ridenhour ’13, Jordan Smith ’14, Luke Turner ’12, and Davis Vanderslice ’13. They were the first Missouri team to advance to the state championship game in back-to-back seasons since 2009.
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Wieberg ’14 in the 200-Free relay. The boys golf team celebrated a thirdplace Class 3 victory this past spring,
from the Central Division, on Memorial Day weekend. Selection for this prestigious team is a great honor.
following a state championship win the year prior. They lost to first-place Borgia by only three strokes and to second-place MICDS by two strokes.
Mitch Penning ’13 plays as a middle blocker for the US Youth National Volleyball Team, named First Team All-State and First Team All-Metro for the 2012 boys volleyball season. Mitch also plays club for High Performance STL, one of the top boys volleyball clubs in the nation. He sees every opportunity to play as an opportunity to improve – whether he is working out with the Youth National Team, his high school team, or just hanging out in the gym – and says he would be honored to play in the Olympics one day.
The girls golf team celebrated their second consecutive 2012 Missouri State Championship victory this fall! Brooke Cusumano ’13 also brought home the Individual Champion title for the second year in a row. Jordan Wolf ’14 finished in second place and McKenna Montgomery ’16 placed 14th to collect All-State Honors. Megan McDaniel ’15 finished 26th and Ciara Younger ’13 finished 29th - each contributing to the victory for the Wildcats in the field of 89 players. The girls volleyball team celebrated an incredible state championship victory this fall. The Wildcats swept Pleasant Hill 25-16, 25-22 in the Class 3 championship. Congratulations to Emily Andres ’16, Bailey Benes ’13, Ellie Bettlach ’13,
Taylor French ’17 celebrated a 115-yard hole-in-one at Highlands Golf and Tennis Club this year. Cross-country runner Laura Tarantino ’13 won the District race by 30 seconds this fall, and the team earned a respectable fourth place finish. Reagen Dykhouse ’13 finished in fourth place and led the boys team to a sixth place finish in the state’s most difficult Class 3 District.
Erin Bognar ’13, Adrienne Horn ’15, Kaitlin Kittelson ’15, Hannah Ruckman ’15, Hannah Stipanovich ’14, Sadie Stipanovich ’13, Lauren Thoenen ’13, Megan Tilley ’13, Lauren Vanek ’14, Rachel Waller ’16. “It’s just surreal,” said Westminster senior Erin Bognar. “We’ve wanted it so much. We’ve been so close and finally, we have it.” Wrestler Bennett Lewis ’13 took 3rd place in the 220+ division at the State tournament last winter. Boys swimmer Easton Noble ’13 led the way in the State meet with his All-State, 5th place finish in the 100-Breaststroke and Honorable Mention, 16th-place finish in the 50-Free. The team broke three school records during the meet: Easton in the 100-Breaststroke and 50-Free, and the team comprised of Easton, Brian Fellows ’13, Cole Montgomery ‘13, and Brandt
Lacrosse players Kristen Ahlbrand ’14, Morgan Siebenman ’14, and Mary Snapp ’13 were selected to represent the Midwest at the Women’s Division National Lacrosse Tournament. The girls competed against the top players from around the country, along with 17 other top players
Making Big Goals On and Off the Ice
The varsity hockey team celebrated an outstanding 2011-12 season, during which they grew significantly as individuals and as a team. Team Treasurer/Manager Michele Conaghan says it was amazing to see how far the players came in two years and how they had grown under the leadership of coach Tom Canfield. “Tom is not only an amazing coach but also an unbelievable teacher,” she says. “The expectations he has for the boys on and off the ice exceed anything a parent would want for [his or her] son. He has trained them up to be hard-working, committed, godly men,” she says. W E S T M I N S T E R
Seven outstanding Westminster senior athletes have committed to play in college. Congratulations to Sarah Barker (tumbling/acrobatics, Baylor), Erin Bognar (volleyball, Samford), Brooke Cusumano (golf, SIU-C), Ben Lovell (baseball, Belmont), Katie Matheny (hockey, Ohio State), Mitch Penning (volleyball, Pepperdine), and Sadie Stipanovich (basketball, St. Louis University).
Building community within the team was continually emphasized both on and off the ice, whether through supporting one another during practice or gathering often at Coach Canfield’s house for team dinners. “[Coach’s] philosophy was that if you teach them to be men of character who encourage and respect one another as Christian men and as athletes, they will succeed as hockey players,” says Conaghan. “That is how the boys accomplished what they did. They learned to believe in themselves and in one another, and they know that they can accomplish anything they desire as a result.”
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This year, as part of the garden initiative, local chefs took part in two chef series featuring items grown in the garden. At these events, which will continue next year, chefs created hands-on, interactive demonstrations for those in attendance to learn firsthand about the benefits of organic farming and fresh ingredients. This fall, a student culinary club was established. The club, taught by Campus Cuisine chefs trained at L’Ecole Culinaire, teaches students about all aspects of the culinary arts, including the origins of various foods, seed-to-table concepts, and specific culinary skills. A goal is for the culinary club to eventually help create menus for various school events.
Celebrating diversity as a community CLUBS
The National Scholastic Press Association, a nonprofit membership organization that offers a publication critique service to high school publications such as newspapers and yearbooks, rated Westminster’s newspaper and yearbook “First Class with One Mark of Distinction.” Teacher and mentor Scott Vonder Bruegge has always encouraged students on newspaper and yearbook staff to “find [their] voice and say something significant” – something they have clearly accomplished as reflected by this honor.
Westminster’s FIRST Robotics Team Celebrates an Outstanding Year
The Westminster Christian Academy FIRST Robotics team was recognized with the ”Rookie All-Star Award” at the St. Louis Regional Competition. The team advanced to the FIRST World Championship competition April 26-28 at the Edward Jones Dome and competed with the best robotics teams from around the world. “It was so exciting to be there,” says team mentor and Westminster teacher Lisa Harding. “There was such great energy, and it was awesome to be a part of such a largescale event!” Mrs. Harding says she couldn’t have been prouder of her team. “They were extremely professional, articulate, and enthusiastic, and they truly took advantage of every opportunity to acknowledge the brilliant engineering they saw around them and graciously accepted compliments from other teams,” she says. While at the competition, Westminster’s student engineers spent ample time with one of their sponsors, Siemens, whose CAD software the team used for their design. In 1 2
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next year’s competition, they hope to use the software NX (the same used by Boeing) to manage their entire project. In preparation for next year’s competition, the Westminster robotics team hopes to introduce more students of all ages to what they have done in robotics. From inviting small groups of students to observe the robot after school to bringing the robot to middle school and even elementary school science classes, the robotics team hopes to pique even more interest in engineering among the student body – especially now that a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) major is offered. The team also hopes to partner with veteran robotics teams around St. Louis to learn more about developing a FIRST Lego team and FIRST Tech Challenge team as early as next year. “This whole experience has truly opened the kids’ minds to new ways to approach problems,” says Mrs. Harding. “They have learned from the more experienced teams and are excited to take creativity to a whole new level next year!”
Student and Community Garden
In spring 2012, Westminster launched a student and community garden as part of its commitment to student wellness to support student education about seed-to-table gardening. Sponsored by Campus Cuisine by Hollyberry Catering, Westminster’s campus dining partner, the garden is serving as a tool that will be dynamically integrated into the curriculum. The raised-bed garden containing herbs and a variety of produce not only educates students about its healthy foods and good gardening practices in general, but also provides ongoing opportunities to build partnerships within the community.
In September, Westminster held “Diversity Night,” a community-wide event designed to celebrate diversity at Westminster. Director of Diversity Aaron Layton discussed how Westminster is intentional about diversity and shared ways that Westminster families can actively support an increasingly diverse community. Students of color make up nearly 20% of the student population. The school’s Diversity Committee – made up of parents, faculty, staff, and Board members – meets regularly to establish short- and long-term goals and courses of action to not only increase and retain a diverse student population but also to nurture an inclusive culture that impacts all areas of school life. Mr. Layton says, “Our goal is not simply to get minorities here, but rather it is to make them feel respected, valued, and that they are an integral part of the community.”
STEMming From Excellence
This school year, Westminster has begun offering a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) major to upper school students. The decision to implement this program began with recognition of the world’s need for individuals highly skilled in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math. Head of School Jim Marsh sites Apple as an example, noting that the company employs 700,000 factory workers in China because it cannot find the engineers in the U.S. that it needs on-site at its plants. “This has great implications for the education our students receive,” says Mr. Marsh. “It means taking significant steps to equip young people who aspire to pursue science-related careers. By giving them opportunities to see if God has gifted them in this area and experiences that foster an interest in a STEM career, we are able to encourage and nurture that gift as best we can,” says Mr. Marsh. A student who “majors” in STEM is able to use every opportunity in his or her education to become more skilled and knowledgeable in
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students – not only in the classroom but also in the community.” Westminster received a $65,000 grant from the William R. Orthwein Jr. and Laura Rand Orthwein Foundation to make the program possible. “The grant was key to our implementation of this program,” says Mr. Marsh. “It will hopefully encourage other departments to be innovative and to formulate ideas for programs that will push us to become better, as well.”
the field, taking advantage of opportunities to be mentored by individuals at companies such as Boeing and Monsanto. “This program is truly unique to Westminster,” says Mr. Marsh. “It provides a much richer experience for
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The STEM major at Westminster includes classes such as Introduction to Engineering Design (IED – the first of several Project Lead the Way courses) and Applied Scientific Research (ASR), as well as STEM Symposium, seminars, and service opportunities. Interested students are able to choose from two different tracks, one more intensive than the other, and a STEM minor is also an option.
As part of new innovations and enhancements in the Middle School, Westminster has also expanded its core curriculum with a STEM course in the Middle School. The course, required for all middle school students, takes an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to science, technology, engineering, and math. All of these disciplines are applied during the planning processes of each of the course’s four project-based units, in which students are assigned to construct a rocket, a CO2 dragster, an under-water robot, and a cardboard chair (with no adhesives) sturdy enough to support an adult. This course, in addition, encourages key 21st century skills such as collaboration, communication, and problem solving. Head of Middle School Steve Hall says the difference between this STEM course and a regular science course is that it focuses heavily on the application of science and math together. “From a global perspective, math and science are not among Americans’ greatest strengths; the U.S. is simply not producing the world’s mathematicians and scientists,” says Mr. Hall. “As a Christian school whose mission it is to produce young men and women equipped to change the world, it is our job to jump into the gap – to fill this void. We want to prove
Westminster helps establish international school in Thailand Westminster Christian Academy is helping establish Westminster International School Thailand, a K-12 Christian school in a suburb of Bangkok, Thailand. The vision for the school was born when a group of missionaries who serve in Thailand realized the need for an excellent Christian school for their children in this area of the world. This school, which will begin as a middle school and high school and later establish an elementary school, will enroll children of missionaries (20% of the school’s student population), as well as local children (who will make up the other 80%).
in Seoul, South Korea. “Global partnerships like these are incredible examples of how we at Westminster Christian Academy are fulfilling our vision,” says Marsh. “As we build upon these partnerships, we can only
The school has established a Board of Directors, which includes Head of School Jim Marsh, as well as defined the property upon which it will be constructed. The school will open for the 2014-15 school year. Westminster Christian Academy will partner with the Thailand school and serve as an agent for recruiting the school’s faculty, as well as provide curriculum guidance; the school in Thailand will use Westminster Christian Academy’s curriculum for grades 7-12. Mr. Marsh says he foresees the same kind of relationship with Westminster International School Thailand that Westminster Christian Academy has had with its sister school Saemmul Christian Academy
imagine the powerful ways in which the future of Westminster Christian Academy might serve as a blessing to the expansion of God’s Kingdom.”
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to middle school students that science and math are not scary,” he says. “We hope that it, in turn, encourages students to think about a more focused approach to STEM when they get to high school.” Mr. Hall says that while there are other middle schools in the area that do offer a STEM course, most do not require it, and most are “pre-packaged” curricula. “Westminster’s middle school STEM course has been specially designed by our teachers so that students are able to draw connections between STEM principles and what they are learning in their other classes.”
PAW Korea
In July 2011, a group of parents of Korean students who attend Westminster launched a branch of Parents Advancing Westminster (PAW). The group is comprised of 25 families from Seoul, South Korea. Westminster Director of International Student Program Dani Butler created the program called “PAW Korea” after learning that some parents of these international students desired a means of participating in the Westminster community. During a trip to Seoul, Mrs. Butler hosted a luncheon to appoint officers for the group. PAW Korea is committed to coordinating annual fundraising events to become more involved in and to help benefit Westminster’s capital campaign
Welcoming Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles In March, Westminster held an all-school student assembly to hear from the Reverend Samuel “Billy” Kyles, one of the men with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., at the time of his assassination. A longtime leader in the civil rights movement, Rev. Kyles has been pastor of the Monumental Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, since 1959. He and Reverend Ralph Abernathy were with Dr. King during the last hour of his life in his room at the Lorraine Motel. Rev. Abernathy has since passed on, leaving Rev. Kyles as the only living person who was with Dr. King during his final hour. Rev. Kyles has maintained his involvement with civil rights work since the 1960s.
Camp Westminster In June, nearly 500 campers from around St. Louis gathered on our campus to have a blast at Camp Westminster! Those fun, sunny days will be back before we know it, so kids should get excited for another great summer with tons of new camps to choose from! Registration for Camp Westminster 2013 opens this spring. Watch for more information to come soon!
Director of Spiritual Life Tim Holley and Director of Diversity Aaron Layton say this was a great opportunity for students and the community to hear from Rev. Kyles. “We were honored and blessed to have Rev. Kyles come and allow us to experience history through his testimony,” says Mr. Layton. “It was our prayer that he would help our community celebrate the progress of civil rights and race relations in America.” Mr. Layton says, the hope was that Rev. Kyles could teach the students about the destructive practice of “exclusion” and its evils. “A person may not consider himself or herself a racist, but we are all challenged to exclude others from our circle of friends,” says Mr. Layton. “Our desire is that the Westminster community would be one that does not practice exclusion but rather inclusion as brothers and sisters in Christ.”
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Middle School, Upper Impact Why the two short years between elementary and high school are transformative in the life of a Westminster student By Elly Johnson West ’00 W E S T M I N S T E R
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“I don’t know about you, but I hated middle school,” confesses 7th
all middle school students, as an addition to the traditional math
grade Bible teacher Deana Vandegriff. “That’s the reason I chose to be
and science classes. The STEM class includes four collaborative,
a middle school teacher.” The passion behind Ms. Vandegriff’s role in
problem-solving projects in which students work in groups to
the lives of Westminster middle school students is apparently making a
build underwater robots, rockets, cardboard chairs (able to hold
difference, when so many are praising their experience at Westminster.
the weight of an adult without the use of adhesives), and more. All of these projects either introduce or reinforce topics that
“Parents tell me all the time how much their son or daughter
students will encounter in their math and science classes. The STEM
loves Middle School at Westminster,” says Ms. Vandegriff. There
curriculum was specifically designed by the middle school teachers to
are several unique qualities about the Middle School that make it
integrate the material in their core classes, guiding students in their
stand out in excellence, not the least of which is its teachers.
understanding of how the academic disciplines connect.
Head of Middle School Steve Hall says, “We have dedicated,
In addition to connections drawn between the disciplines taught
talented teachers committed to educational excellence and to
in Middle School, the STEM curriculum prepares students for the
establishing strong relationships with their students. Students
academic rigor of the upper school math and science courses. “We
exhibit a different measure of motivation and joy in their work
wanted to ensure that we are introducing our students to topics
when they are valued and encouraged on a personal level.”
and projects that support the science and math curricula, both in
Ms. Vandegriff says the implications of what happens in the
the Middle School and the Upper School,” says 8th grade math and
Middle School extend so much further beyond the classroom.
STEM teacher Dale Beachy. “Our hope is to inspire an interest in
“The Middle School does so much to address and grow each
students to pursue STEM courses in high school.”
student as a whole person – not just academically, but emotionally, socially, and spiritually,” she says. Middle school teachers at
There is a continuity of learning methods between Middle School
Westminster view every student as a work in progress and are
and Upper School. Beginning in 7th grade, students are given the
intentional about finding the ideal balance between academics and their emotional and spiritual lives. The structure of the Middle School is designed with this in mind, including programs such as Academic Advisory, in which each student’s progress is tracked weekly. In addition, students participate in Academic Connect four days a week, providing time to get help with homework, make up missed tests, and receive further instruction on specific material. Such programs create an academic atmosphere that ensures the highest level of learning for every student. Technology integration is an important initiative of the middle school program, introducing and honing skills necessary for academic success in the modern world. Every middle school student is taught to use Apple laptops and iPads within the classroom setting. “In an effort to attend to the 21st century educational needs of every young person, instruction and practice in these areas is necessary,” says Mr. Hall. Part of Westminster’s unique middle school program is the STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) course required for
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academic foundation they need to succeed in high school. With
Because Westminster does so much to emphasize development
a reputation for outstanding writing instruction, Westminster
of the whole person, the middle school program not only prepares
begins teaching writing methods in 7th grade, and these are used
the students academically, but also gives attention to emotional and
throughout high school. Learning these methods at a young age
spiritual development. Middle school students are linked with Peer
provides students with the tools they will need to manage the
Counselors (exemplary junior and senior students), and then meet
writing requirements throughout their education.
weekly for devotionals and social activities. These connections help the middle school students prepare for the next level of
The Middle School also offers honors classes in math and English,
their education by developing relationships earlier, and therefore
allowing students to identify the honors path they might pursue
minimizing the challenges of transitioning to the Upper School. It
in Upper School. As part of that process, every spring the middle
is also an opportunity for mentorship between older and younger
school counselor works with each 8th grade student and his or
students, giving the younger student a glimpse of what it means to
her family to determine an educational plan for Upper School.
be a Christian high school student.
Mr. Hall says, “I think the beauty of our school is that the Middle
These connections are an intentional part of Westminster’s desire to
School has the ability to provide an education experience that is
build community, both among students and between students and
just right for this age group. We aren’t a mirror of the upper school
teachers. The value of this six-year experience cannot be overstated.
experience; yet, as we pursue our own necessary uniqueness, our
As Mr. Hall articulates, “To be surrounded by an environment that
upper and middle school teachers come together often throughout
promotes the love of God and the love of others as the primary
the school year to discuss the scope and sequence of each discipline.
motivation, is an immeasurable benefit and blessing to young people.”
These ongoing conversations allow the entire 7-12 program to function as a seamless unit, with one grade building upon the next.”
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MORE THAN A BUILDING
By Director of Advancement, Zach Clark
“...The essence of community, its very heart and soul, is the nonmonetary exchange of value – the things we do and the things we share because we care for others and for the good of the place. Community is composed of things that we cannot measure, for which we keep no record and ask no recompense.” - Dee Hock Construction is complete, but our vision is not. Our impossible hopes for a campus for the 21st century have become a reality. But the work is not finished, because the vision has always been about more than a building. Our vision is for our graduates and who they will become: sons and daughters who learn to love the Lord with all their hearts and to walk with Him – young men and women who are truly equipped to be leaders in the family, the marketplace, the culture, and the church. We are now in our second year in our new campus home. We have an enrollment of more than 960 students, with a freshman class of 190. We saw amazing non-tuition revenue simply from using the facility well and leasing it to other groups, and we expect that revenue to grow. We’ve been able to introduce significant new programs such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), iPads, and the Center for Teaching and Learning. We have 1 8
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even maintained our commitment to make sure that tuition dollars go directly to students’ day-to-day experience, rather than toward facilities improvements, major new initiatives, or debt. Up to this point, we’ve been able to make our interestonly payments on our debt of $35 million. In October, our loan repayment shifted to principal plus interest payments, and we have a cash giving goal of $5 million by December 31, 2012. To date, $2.3 million has been given, with $2.7 million still needed by year end. We believe that God is positioning us for even greater impact. We are pushing forward, resolved not to be comfortable with simply maintaining debt and holding steady. We are challenging people to pledge and give $40 million by 2020 to secure the financial strength of our school and fund the Westminster strategic plan for the future.
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Why giving to Westminster is so important Giving is the fuel that drives us forward. At Westminster, tuition dollars are not used to provide for facilities improvements or major program additions. It is parents who give above and beyond tuition, former parents who continue to give long after their children have graduated, alumni, grandparents, and so many others that God has used to provide each campus that has housed Westminster, even up until today. So far, we have no building fees, no technology fees, and no program improvement fees. Our community of support and generous giving keeps us moving forward as tuition funds the daily learning experiences for every student. It is impossible to overstate how important giving is to the long-term health and sustainability of Westminster Christian Academy. Giving provides both the facilities and opportunities for us to be strong and dynamic in the future, improving year after year.
Giving at every level makes the difference Many people ask me how their giving can make any difference when the goals at Westminster always seem so huge. I understand that some people might look at all that God has done, all the amazing opportunities and the success of our new campus, and say, “Well, it seems they don’t need my help.” Or, some people might say, “My giving won’t make a difference.” The challenge now before us is the ongoing funding, through generous giving, of those priorities that our Christian school community believes is important: to be both Christian and world-class, to become better before bigger, to make decisions to ensure that Westminster is accessible for future generations, and to grow a school community that reflects the Kingdom of God. To miss the mark on these priorities can profoundly change the Westminster experience. We establish giving goals designed to achieve results. You may not realize that the remarkable generosity of our community in recent years has not been the result of large gifts from a handful of individuals. We now have nearly 1,000 people giving at levels of $100 and above. As our community prays and considers making gifts at every level, we see God do more and more extraordinary things through His people.
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$40 million by 2020 We have continued to set challenging giving goals for our future. To see $5 million in giving each year through 2020 is no small challenge. Accomplishing this goal by 2020 not only funds our new strategic plan initiatives, including goals such as holding tuition flat for periods of years, but also enables us to be completely debt free. In the coming months and years, we are asking people to look back and consider what God has done through His people and their giving. We have yearafter-year enrollment growth in all but three years in our history, with record enrollment this year. We have stable teacher pay and benefits and a growing high-
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quality faculty and coaching staff. We serve a highly diverse and broad socioeconomic range of families, with more than 30% of families receiving some level of need-based financial aid. We’ve introduced new and innovative programs every year, providing opportunities for the broad range of learning needs and differences that exist in our families. We’ve designed and built a world-class campus full of new opportunities for teachers, students, families, and the community. It is the faithfulness of God, as demonstrated through the giving of His people that has made all the difference.
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Highlights from our 2012-17 Strategic Plan Spiritual Life and Community • Strengthen the spiritual life of Westminster students through programs and relationship-building opportunities • Implement new training and mentoring programs • Implement a spiritual life oversight program that will allow teachers to better integrate the vision, mission, and core values into the students’ lives throughout their Westminster experience • Build a diverse school community that reflects the Kingdom of God – one in which we embrace cultural, ethnic, denominational, and learning differences
Teaching • Consistently recruit a world-class faculty and staff and provide them ongoing opportunities for professional growth, improvement, and innovation • Provide financial compensation that makes Westminster the most desirable choice for exceptional teacher candidates who fit our faith requirement • Allow greater time for teacher and student collaboration • Implement new methods to help students who fall behind to meet the graduation requirements in their specific diploma tracks, as well as new programs to meet the needs of students with exceptional academic ability • Implement specialized majors across the disciplines to enhance the academic program
“This is our 17th year of sharing our children with Westminster Christian Academy, and we are still amazed by our teachers! From the beginning, we have seen teachers whose hearts are in their jobs, who have the skills to explain concepts in multiple ways, and who are role models who love Jesus Christ. While some of our “favorites” are now retired, new teachers have come along and touched our hearts and helped transform our children’s hearts and minds. Westminster is a wonderful school that builds on the right foundation – a great group of teachers who know how to collaborate.” – Ursula Smith, parent W E S T M I N S T E R
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Innovation • Establish a leadership development program to identify and grow potential leaders among faculty, staff, and students • Utilize online learning to enhance and broaden various aspects of the curriculum • Implement strategies that will encourage the St. Louis community to use the facilities, and in turn, create income that could be used to support the specialized or general operations budgets • Consider adding new team sports and arts programs, increasing opportunities for students in the next few years • Strengthen and deepen the fine arts experience for Westminster students and establish a fine arts major in the upper school program
Accessibility • Implement a five-year, flat tuition plan to ensure long-term affordability for Christian families in the St. Louis region • Consider programs such as a transportation program, online education, or home school and elective course offerings • Provide a salary and benefits package that is highly competitive with Christian, independent, and public school communities • Begin a designated donations program for a sizeable endowment that would increase faculty compensation
Advancing Christian Education • Establish the Center for the Advancement of Christian Education to assemble experts and provide resources for Christian schools across the nation and globe • Involve Westminster alumni in specific roles to impact Westminster students, regional schools, and national and international relationships • Strengthen the Christian education movement through international programs and partnerships while expanding Westminster’s global partnerships to three continents (Asia, South America, and Europe)
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Vision to Inspire her graduation from Belmont, Lisa was introduced to the Rymer Gallery, which has represented her work in Nashville for the past five years. Lisa is currently focusing on new studio work for the Rymer Gallery, producing abstract animation, curating a correspondence art project, and researching materials. Her work has been recognized with grants and awards from Belmont University and The Tennessee Arts Commission.
At Westminster Christian Academy, our greatest hope for our students is that they graduate equipped to engage the world and change it for Jesus Christ. Lisa Bachman Jones ’02 is doing just that through her artwork. Earlier this year, Lisa reached out to Westminster about contributing to the school’s vision in a nontraditional way – through a series of abstract paintings based on Westminster’s mission and core values. In August, Westminster launched an exhibit of Lisa’s paintings, displayed on campus throughout the fall. Lisa gifted one painting and 70% of the sales from the remaining nine paintings to Westminster. In the ten years since graduating from Westminster, Lisa has worked with museums, galleries, schools, businesses, churches, and musicians as an art maker, educator, and curator. She earned a BFA in Painting from Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. That same year, she obtained her Tennessee teaching license for K-12 Art Education. A year after
Lisa resides in Nashville with her husband of three years, Pete, and her stepdaughter Mia. Lisa and Pete met at FIDO Café, where Lisa works as the head baker and bakery manager. The couple has made keeping up with their creative gifts a priority, and both keep studios within their home.
In August, Lisa spoke to Westminster art students about her artistic process and gave them a glimpse into her life as an artist. For more information about Lisa’s artwork, you may contact her at la@labachman.com. Other works by Bachman are on display at labachman.com.
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CL A SS NOTES Send us your stories! We want to stay connected with you. Students and alumni, Westminster wants to share your stories. Send your photos, stories, and adventures to ereed@wcastl.org and you may see them posted on Facebook or Twitter.
thanks, to share and reflect, and to laugh again. We celebrated our journeys. We encouraged each other to be brave in the future. And we will continue to be there for each other. God bless the Class of 1982!” - Brookie Moore CLASS OF 1988 David Workman has recently published a new novel called Absolute Authority. The book is available on amazon.com, as well as at All on the Same Page Bookstore in Creve Coeur. CLASS OF 1989
CLASS OF 1999
s Jaime Fahs Nystuen and her
husband Adam recently welcomed their third child Noah, who joins big sisters Anna (7) and Emma (5). Jaime is the patient services manager for the American Cancer Society Midwest Division, and Adam works in financial services. The couple reside in St. Paul, Minnesota. CLASS OF 2001
s Shonda Collison Johnson and her
CLASS OF 1982 The Class of 1982 celebrated its 30-year reunion during Wildcat Weekend on October 13, 2012. Class members who were available during the day enjoyed STUCO Carnival, lunch, and athletic events at Westminster. Later that evening, Brookie Kramer Moore organized a dinner for class members and spouses at Sugo’s in Frontenac. The class plans to celebrate again in late December, when out-of-town class members will be in St. Louis celebrating the Christmas holiday. “Getting together with Angie, Scott, Paul, Linda, and Curtis was one of the more delightful things I’ve done in a long time! It was more like a family gathering than a reunion. We all GET each other. No one was there to compare, to compete, or to flatter. Everyone was there to laugh, to remember, to express 2 4
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husband Charles welcomed Trent Edward Johnson on January 19, 2012. CLASS OF 1994 Joel Bell was named Director of Wealth Management for MidSouth Financial Group. Joel and his wife Jill reside in Oxford, Mississippi, with their boys Carter (4) and Cooper (2), and they are expecting a girl in December. CLASS OF 1996
s Derek Keith Cheairs and his
wife Meredith were married on April 30, 2011 in Playa del Carmen.
s Colleen DeMaster DeJong and
her husband Michael welcomed their third child on May 30, 2012. Ashley Noelle joins siblings Jack and Abigail. CLASS OF 2002 Colleen Potter Thorburn and her husband Ben live in Bluefield, Virginia, where Ben works as a voice and music history professor at Bluefield College. In addition to teaching private harp and piano lessons in southwest Virginia, Colleen also travels regularly to Connecticut to perform as principal harpist with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra. Colleen was awarded a grant for 2011-2012 from the Yale School of Music’s alumniVentures program,
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with which she commissioned and performed several new compositions for French horn and harp with her New England-based duo, Apple Orange Pair, this past summer.
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welcomed a son, Remington, on March 4, 2012. Remington joins sister Evelynne.
s Erin Aucker Hutchinson and her
s Matthew Frick served as keynote
speaker for the Marine Corp Ball in Yerevan, Armenia, in November. Matthew is attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Okinawa, Japan, and was asked to speak at the embassy because of how closely the 31st MEU works with embassies in its area of operations. While at the embassy, Frick was able to tour the local city, meet the ambassador, and speak with the Marines one-on-one.
husband Chet welcomed Rachael Aurelia on April 28, 2012. She is named after Erin’s sister Rachael Aucker ’10 and joins brothers Harkins, Cedar, and Finlay. Chet is a JAG for the Army, and the couple is stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. CLASS OF 2003
s Jason Graham and Brandi Jane
Wedgeworth were married on June 16, 2012 in Hilton Head, South Carolina. Brother Randy Graham ’02 and friend Ben Stegmann ’03 served as groomsmen. Jason is employed with PricewaterhouseCoopers in their International Tax Services group, structuring cross-border transactions for hedge fund and private equity funds, and Brandi Jane is the Chief Financial Officer at Crispin Capital Management, a hedge fund in New York City. The couple reside in TriBeCa in New York City.
s Joe Bubenik and his wife Ali
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Members of the Class of 1992 celebrated their 20-year reunion during Wildcat Weekend, October 12-13. The class kicked off their reunion weekend on Friday evening, where over 40 class members and guests gathered at the Four Seasons downtown. On Saturday, class members and their families gathered at Westminster for a campus tour and Carnival fun. Reunion organizers were Erin Horn Schulte, Sian Oliver Tietz, Beth Blattenberger Vanden Hoek, and Casey Beckemeier Obertop. W E S T M I N S T E R
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achieve at high levels. He also helps run study hall with the Academic Hub team, which includes Marty Peters and Diane Miller. Matt says, “I’m really excited to have the opportunity to serve at the school that served me so well.” s Jack McGowan married Blake
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Bachman on December 17, 2011. The wedding party included Grace McGowan ’99, Luke McGowan ’06 and Esther McGowan, currently a junior at Westminster. The couple live in Dogtown in St. Louis and are members at The Journey. Matt Pannkuk is finishing the final year of his Master of Divinity degree at Covenant Seminary and works at Westminster as the Academic Lab Tutor, a role in which he assists all students so they can
enjoying her intern year at Georgia Health Sciences University.
s Andrew Fields and his wife Amy
s Jessica Degnan (pictured with
niece Jadyn) graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in May 2012. She has moved to Augusta, Georgia to begin her Orthopaedic Surgery Residency program and is
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have been appointed missionaries with the Reformed Church in America. They will be teaching at the Evangelical Moravian Bible Institute in Puerto Lempira, Honduras, but are currently living in Chicago while they are raising financial support.
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Members of the Class of 2002 celebrated their 10-year reunion during Wildcat Weekend on October 13. Class members gathered at Westminster Saturday morning for a campus tour and to enjoy Carnival. The formal reunion celebration was held Saturday evening at Flamingo Bowl on Washington Avenue, where over 60 attendees enjoyed an evening of bowling, food, and catching up with old friends. Reunion organizers were Ashley Wibbenmeyer, Molly Fehlig, and Alyson Millar-Blevins. Becca Davis Castañeda prepared a “then and now” slideshow of high school and current photos. 2 6
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Dedication This past spring, the Westminster baseball scoreboard was dedicated in memory of Jon McClerren, member of the Class of 2003. Prior to the start of one of the first games of the season, a dedication ceremony was held in which Jon’s father Denny threw out the first pitch; Jon’s entire family was in attendance. Baseball player Ben Lovell ’13 says he is humbled by the McClerren family’s years of loving service to Westminster. “To this day, Mr. McClerren never misses a Westminster sporting event and greets us with as much enthusiasm as he would if we were his own sons,” says Lovell. “I have heard over and over about the great impact Jon McClerren had on his class and on this community, and I see him as one of the most influential students to ever have attended Westminster.”
Korean Alumni Club The inaugural meeting of the Westminster Christian Academy Korean Alumni Club took place this October in Seoul, South Korea. Director of International Student Program Dani Butler conceived the idea that Westminster alumni living in South Korea should formally establish a group in order to stay in touch with each other and Westminster. Dani shared the idea with one of her first students, Chang-Soo Chun ’03, and he loved it! Chang-Soo owns a restaurant in South Korea and offered to host the first meeting. The initial group consisted of Dani, Chang-Soo, and five other alumni working or studying in Korea. The majority of Westminster’s Korean graduates still live in the United States as they pursue undergraduate or graduate degrees. However, most plan to travel to Korea for a visit next summer, so the next
gathering is scheduled for July 2013, when the club hopes to have more than 20 members in attendance. The group has already established a Facebook group for Korean alumni and hopes to develop more specific goals when they convene next summer.
Front row from left: Sin-ae Kim ’11, JiHee Jang ’06, Dani Butler, Yoon-Sun Chang ’08 Back row from left: Junyoung Oh ’12, Ji-hoon Kim ’06, Chang-Soo Chun ’03
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Choosing Service Alumna Madison Nye ’10 recently traveled to Uganda, where she worked with IChooseYou Ministries to provide Christian education to children who are starving, abandoned, or have no family support. Throughout the summer, Madison helped create gardens for the kids’ families, played and danced with the little ones in the schoolyard, helped run a medical clinic, and hosted a sleepover for a group of girls in the village. Madison says, “It was the most rewarding experience of my life, and I cannot wait to go back! God’s love is so evident there and it truly changed my life.” Read more about how Madison is making an impact at thewestminstervision.com/graduates.
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CLASS OF 2005
s Grady Powell was named winner
s Rob Stain and Rachel Ferrara ’07
were married on October 1, 2011 at Twin Oaks Presbyterian Church. The bridal party included alumni Mike Ferrara ’10, Melissa Ruhlman ’08, Matt Pannkuk ’03, and Nick Gray ’98 and was coordinated by Katie Edema Leonard ’02. Rachel works at St. Anthony’s Medical Center. Rob graduated from Covenant Seminary in December 2011, teaches at Twin Oaks Christian School, and is on staff at Spring Hills Presbyterian Church.
s Courtney Potter married Justin
Cook on April 28, 2012. Alumni Colleen Potter Thorburn ’02, Julianne Breck Hyatt ’05, Emily Smith ’05, and Karah Leibovich ’05 were bridesmaids. Courtney and Justin live in Durham, North Carolina, where they run their own documentary photography businesses.
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of NBC’s Stars Earn Stripes, which aired this past fall. The competition honoring America’s armed forces paired special forces groups with celebrities, who were together challenged to execute complicated missions inspired by real military exercises. During his time as a Green Beret, Grady served as a Senior Detachment Weapons Sergeant in the U.S. Army Special Forces. He followed in the footsteps of both his father, a Vietnam-era Green Beret, and his grandfather,
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The Class of 2007 celebrated its 5-year reunion on July 28, 2012. Rachel Wisdom organized the event, which was held at Westminster’s new campus in the Gallery. Class members enjoyed dinner catered by The Pasta House Company, followed by a slideshow of their high school years and a campus tour given by Susie Pike.
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s Brian Keffer graduated from
s David Alexander recently had
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Baylor University on May 12, 2012 with a degree in Management Information Systems. In April, Brian received the top senior MIS student award. He is now working for ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas. Brian is pictured with sister Rebecca Keffer Kruse ’04 and her husband Stephen Kruse ’04.
s Alex Hoban married Elizabeth
s Erik Lewis married Amanda
Horvath on July 6, 2012 at Historic Trinity Lutheran Church in St. Louis. Alex completed his BS in Physics from the University of Missouri in 2011 and is currently working on his master’s in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Memphis and The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The couple currently live in Memphis, Tennessee.
Renaud ’06 on May 13, 2012 at Memorial Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. Paul Lewis ’07 was best man, and Dominick Valli ’08, Joe Hunsicker ’08, Chris Bates ’08, and Matt Rohlfing ’08 were groomsmen. Stephanie Hullinger ’03 and Katie Renaud Breneman ’01 were matrons of honor, and Kat Bear ’06 and Sarah McReynolds Frick ’06 were bridesmaids.
the opportunity to participate in a discipleship leadership program in San Diego called TWELVE. More than 100,000 students from the U.S., Canada, and Mexico were encouraged by 12 individuals’ commitment to allow God to work in their lives. In every middle school and high school they visited, they found brokenness, pain, and hopelessness. But because they were able to show the love of Christ, lives were changed. In one year, more than 700 individuals received Christ. David says, “Twenty years of life-changing experiences were crammed into nine months. God is faithful; each day I’m overwhelmed with gratitude because of His love and grace.” David is currently studying business entrepreneurship and dance at Lindenwood University. He feels called to start a campus event ministry for the purpose of equipping creative, visual, and performing artists to understand the artistic nature of their Creator. His twin brother Daniel Alexander ’10, a worship leader and marketing
a decorated World War II combat veteran. Grady recently completed his five-year enlistment in the Army and has since returned to St. Louis. CLASS OF 2006
s Ashley Timm Mendez married
Julio Mendez in Colorado on July 21, 2012. The couple reside in Chicago.
Hall of Graduates To showcase our alumni, the composites of every graduating class in Westminster’s history have been and will continue to be displayed in this upper school hallway to remind students, faculty, parents, and other passersby of the far-reaching impact of Westminster’s unchanging vision to prepare more young men and women to engage and change the world for Jesus Christ. 3 0
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major at Indiana Wesleyan University, will also help launch this ministry. You may email David at aTWELVEstudent@gmail.com. April Johnston is a junior at Truman State University, where she is pursuing a double major in art history and English, with a concentration in criticism. She was the recipient of a TruScholars Summer 2012 Research Grant from the university. Her research focused on the American painter Lee Krasner and her unique contributions to abstract expressionism and American modern art. As a part of her research, April traveled to New York to conduct archival research at the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center. April presented her paper at the TruScholars Symposium at Truman State University in August, and also hopes to be able to present at the 2013 National Conference for Undergraduate Research.
activities during their freshman year, as well as a written statement of personal goals, later followed by an interview with members of ODK and university faculty. CLASS OF 2012 Steven Bosch, Joseph Collins, and Gordon Younkin achieved Finalist status in the National Merit Program. To become a National Merit Finalist, students complete an extensive application. Finalists in the competition have the distinction of placing in the top 1.5% of all seniors who took the test. Gordon Younkin was recently notified that he was chosen as a National Merit Scholar and as a result received a scholarship in the amount of $2,500 from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
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near Chicago. While she played the forward position as a striker in high school, her college coaches have shifted her to the midfield position where she has quickly adapted as a starter. Dreae is leaning toward a degree in communications and would like to work in social media in the future. Anthony Pritchett was signed this summer at Indiana University– Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW) as a midfielder. Anthony was an All-State and All-Region selection as a senior after leading the Wildcats to a district title. Rebecca Waller was selected as a recipient of the Lindenwood University Linden Leader Award this past fall. The honor is awarded to new students who have shown outstanding dedication and effort in the Work and Learn Program. Students are recommended by their supervisors based on their job performance, academic performance, and demonstrated leadership on campus.
s Andreae (Dreae) Bradley plays
soccer at Trinity Christian College
s Kelsey Kindbom was recently
honored as one of the Top Ten Freshmen at the University of Tulsa. The Omicron Delta Kappa organization, a national leadership honor society, chose the Top Ten Freshmen from more than 50 applicants, judged on the basis of academic achievement and involvement in on- and off-campus
Winter 2011 Flashback Answer:
Make Me a Cake
s If you are the first Westminster alumnus/a to correctly identify all alumni pictured above, you will win a $15 iTunes gift card. Email your guess to Emily Reed, Chimes editor, at ereed@wcastl.org. W E S T M I N S T E R
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s From left: Matthew Binnington (former student), Tim Ivancic ’00, David Bressler (former student), Josh Martin ’00, Mike Pippenger ’00, Steve Ottolini ’00, Kent Falconer ’00
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Christian Day at the Ballpark
Westminster joined the Metro Christian Guide as a cosponsor of Christian Day at the Ballpark on June 30, following the Cardinals game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Before the pre-game event, Westminster hosted an activity booth at the Family Fun Center, and the jazz band entertained the crowd inside the stadium. The highlight of the day was still yet to come: Head of School Jim Marsh threw out the honorary first pitch prior to the start of the game. Marsh says Westminster was elated to participate in this great event. “We at Westminster have a special connection with the St. Louis Cardinals, as the Matheny family has been a part of our community for many years,” says Mr. Marsh. “To be part of such a significant Christian ministry event in St. Louis this year was an extraordinary privilege.” At the event, in conjunction with a number of family-friendly activities, Cardinals Manager Mike Matheny and Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle shared their stories. Current and former Cardinals players, as well as Pirates players, also participated in the post-game outreach event.